Cel ran through the main square of the Thalasyn which was buzzing with people trying not to hit anyone in the crowd. Thalasyn and the whole Island of Moire had around five times more visitors than citizens during the Festival of the Gods.

The Festival of the Gods was held once every three years and attracted people from all around the world. Some sixty years ago the council of the Isle of Moire was forced to set a limit to the number of people that could visit the island during the festival as they were afraid that the island infrastructure would collapse as more and more people were coming every three years.

Cel used some of her special ability to help her concentrate as she ran towards the meeting spot with her friends. Her ability allowed her to dodge people with ease and weave through the tiniest openings in the crowd. She slid under a merchant’s cart almost knocking the boxes with Eredian neon apples in the process. The merchant cursed her in a foreign language, she briefly touched her pinky to her nose, a sign of an apology on the Isle of Moire.

A few minutes and three streets later Cel jumped from the roof of a small one-story house to a tent below, using its pool to slide down to the cobbled street where her friends stood.

“I never know which direction to look for you,” Tuk, a chubby red-faced kid said.

“And you never will,” Cel smiled greeting everyone who had gathered here. “So what’s the word?”

“Almost everyone is here,” Zer, standing a bit apart of the crew, shifted her weight from one foot to another before giving Cel a report. “Merchants from the Eredian are setting up the shops, Hunters from all over the world are setting up a display of the newest creatures they caught and discovered in the past three years, and Chefs from Fyrindell are setting up their stands.” Zer gestured expansively towards the city, her arm sweeping the horizon.

“And the main course?” Cel probed, her eyebrows arching inquisitively.

“King Eloken and and his magicians?” Zer tilted her head, a knowing smile playing at his lips as Cel eagerly nodded. “They are coming in, I just overheard the guards saying that their ships are approaching the Viridian port.”

Cel’s eyes lit up, a thrill of excitement coursing through her. “Nice, I didn’t miss their arrival,” Cel exclaimed. “I am going to check it out, anyone wanna come?”

“You know damn well we can’t climb those cliffs easily and fast as you do,” Tuk grumbled crossing his arms over his chest.

“You go,” Zer encouraged, her tone supportive. “We will wait for you at the food markets.”

Tuk’s expression transformed as Zer mentioned food, his eyes gleaming and a wide grin spreading across his face. “I can’t wait to eat Fyrindell food again,” he declared, rubbing his hands together.

“Got you,” Cel said to Zer, then she reached out giving Tuk a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “You will be able to follow me one day Tuk, one day!” she promised. Then, with a burst of energy, she bounded away, her figure swiftly disappearing into the crowd.

The city of Thalasyn was located on the south side of the island, close to the Viridian port where Eloken’s two ships were supposed to come in. Tuk would say that port was too far away for a walk, but for Cel it was just a short run away. The port was located on the outskirts of the Thalasyn for the easier transportation of the goods that came into the island. Two stories were circling that the city was built after the port as people slowly started to build around it. And the other, is that Thalasyn was founded first and that people port of the sun became too far away for all the goods that were coming in so people decided to etch another port into the rocks on the outskirts of the Thalasyn.

Cel was fascinated with the stories of Eloken’s gifts and could not wait to see how it all looked in person. The stories were one thing, and often oversold even the simplest things, so she needed to see it with her own eyes, the miracle of magic.

After the honorable combat Eloken declined the crown to become a new king of the Isari empire, letting the throne go to one of his nephews whom he, the council, and the people of the kingdom deemed worthy. But that didn’t stop people from calling him the King which annoyed him a fair bit. He decided to create an academy for the gifted people that could tap into the magical source he accidentally discovered and gave himself the title the Founder.

Cel wasn’t certain how far out the ships were so she hurried as fast as she could to catch them arriving. To cut the way there in half she decided to not go towards the bridge but to cross the two-way river using naturally forming rocks near the port itself.

The two-way river, or Biroselith as the settlers called it, was one of the main attractions of the Island of Moire. This fascinating river flowed from one side of the island to the other going straight through the center of Moire Mountains. What made the Two-Way river unique was the way it flowed in a mesmerizing duality, as if someone cut the river in half.

One half coursed from the north to the south side of the island, its waters a deep, serene blue, reminiscent of the vast ocean surrounding the island. In stark, almost surreal contrast, the other half defied the nature’s norm by flowing from the south side of the island to the north, its color tinted an ethereal shade of green. This division created a vivid ribbon of contrasting hues, a stunning natural mosaic that, inexplicably, remained distinctly separate, the two colors never blending.

That river was the source of many legends and stories being told from generation to generation. Some believed it showed the duality of the people, of good and evil, some believed that it was the center of the planet where it was split right in half, and the rest believed the river was the source of something way more mysterious and magical.

The river was also one of the most entertaining parts of the Festival of the Gods because of the games that were being held there. Little north of the Thalasyn where the river was at its widest on this part of the island, each festival of the gods biggest crowd was gathered to watch numerous games being played, Barrell Race, Relay Swimming race, Between two Fires and the main event Aqua Twist.

Cel easily navigated the slippery rocks and crossed to the other side, she often used this passage when she was heading in direction of port to avoid the busy bridge. On the other side of the river a familiar face greeted her with wave.

“Hello, Cel,” An old fisherman said with a calm tone. “Where is the rush?”

“Hello Mr. Toramir,” Cel waved back not stopping, only slowing her pace for a brief moment. “Off too see the arriving ships.”

“Be careful on these steep rocks Cel,” Toramir said. “I know you are a capable young girl, but one misstep and everything can go to damnation.”

“Don’t you worry about me Mr. Toramir, I know how to take care of myself,” Cel said respectfully as she dashed away.

After few more minutes, Cel found herself one short climb away from the edge of the island. Contrary to the most islands in the Veridian Ocean the Island of Moire was not known for its sandy beaches but quite the opposite. The whole Island was encircled with imposing cliffs as high as two hundred meters at some parts.

This formidable natural wall rose sharply from the ocean making it appear as the island itself was thrusting upwards from the planet itself.

Throughout the history this unique phenomenon made the island an unconquered fortress. Few have tried to attack the Moirans but failed miserably. The walls were too high to climb, the sea was too rough to navigate close to the cliffs. As a result, Moirans remained unconquered, thriving and developing on their own.

Cel often came to this spot to look over the vast ocean and enjoy the silence, so she knew the terrain well. The first thing she noticed was a fresh set of footprints leading to one of the tallest points on the south side of the island, her favorite spot. That’s when she realized that of course there would be guards posted all around the island, especially its five ports.

She snuck close to her spot, and of course, there were 3 guards posted, two archers and one scout. From her hidden point, she could see the top of the port, right above the gate, and that it was heavily populated with guards, fires burning in several pits they had created.

It would be hard to sneak anywhere and have a peak at upcoming ships, but Cel wasn’t the one to give up easily, so she silently moved away from the tallest peak and went away from the port, to another position, where she could peak between two rocks. Moving to a new position, she was careful not to be seen by any guards, but all along the way she saw more of the freshly made footprints.

She managed to reach her position without being spotted, last year this spot wouldn’t have allowed her to see anything as it had two tall, skinny rocks reaching for the sky. But sometime in the past year a landslide opened a small window in which she could etch her body sideways and peek through.

Cel was hit by a gust of fresh ocean air as she positioned herself between the rocks. The ocean stretched out before her, a vast expanse of deep blue, dotted with multi-colored sails of the ships that had arrived at the festival. Cel’s gaze was focused on the distinctive design of the Isari ships. It didn’t take her long to to notice two massive ships, their sails billowing gracefully in the wind adoring the Isari Empire insignia and their recognizable dark green, black, and white colors.

Excitement arose in her with the sight, the ships were next in line to enter the Viridian gate, but as she leaned forward to take a closer look it caused a rock to dislodge, clattering down the cliffside. The sound was enough to alert one of the closest guards, his eyes started sweeping the edge. Cel thought for a moment that she might remain unseen, but then his gaze fixed directly on her hiding spot, their eyes met for a brief moment and without a second of hesitation, Cel jumped out of the small opening and started running.

“Hey!” The guard yelled, half to her, half to alert the other guards. “Get back here, now!”

Cel pulled the hoodie over her head, to try and keep her identity a secret and dashed away. Her speed and knowledge of the terrain was enough to create a distance between her and fully armored guards who moved way too slow for her. Minutes later as she neared the Two-Way river crossing, she stood to catch her breath,

“They probably gave up, thinking I was just some curious child,” She said to herself gazing behind her to see if the guards were still following her.

She continued to the crossing, once again meeting the old fisherman, “Back so sudden miss Cel?” He asked.

“If someone asks you didn’t see me Mr. Toramir,” Cel replied as she masterfully maneuvered across the Two-Way river using the slippery rocks as her stepping stones.

“Of course Miss Cel,” The old man replied as she was already on the other side. “Don’t you worry about it.”

Cel quickly made it back to Thalasyn whose streets were now even busier as more and more people arrived at the Island. The town square was alive with the vibrant colors of the Festival of the Gods and a sea of wooden stalls lining the cobblestone paths in neat rows. Each stall was a small spectacle of its own, draped in the bright banners and colorful flags representing each of the merchant's lands who had come to the Festival to showcase their exotic cuisine. The air was rich with aromas of spices and cooked delicacies, Cel inhaled with each step trying to guess from which stand and country it came from.

Lanterns of all shapes and sizes hung from the eaves of stalls ready to light the square in warm light once the night falls. Visitors and citizens of the Island, dressed in their festival clothes, wandered from stall to stall, their laughter and chatter contributing to the warm feeling of the festival. Tunes coming from various musicians, created melodies that made everyone want to skip every few steps and give into dancing.

The town square was surrounded by wooden buildings made out of the famous Moiran Titanwood and stones. Thalasyn had a unique architecture style where most of the houses had a wider first floor and balcony going all around each of the next floors. Titanwood allowed them to build taller buildings than most of the continent without the fear of them collapsing on their own or due to natural disasters.

Cel remembered Tuk’s words and searched for Fyrindell's stands. She easily navigated the crowded town square ducking and weaving between crows of people who paid no attention to her, drinks were starting to flow and people were in their best relaxed state. To no surprise of hers, Tuk was eating in front of one of the stands that held the Fyrindell red and white flag.

Cel sneaked behind Tuk and jumped on his neck startling him, “Give me all your food, now!” she yelled laughing.

“Take everything but food,” Tuk said with his mouth full.

Cel flashed a wide grin, “What are you eating?” She asked.

“He is on his third meal,” Zer chimed in.

“It’s so, so good!” Tuk said. “Now I am eating Snoutroot Sausage in a homemade tortilla, wanna bait?” He asked offering his sandwich to her.

“No thanks Tuk, you enjoy it,” Cel said politely. “I am gonna get something for myself, running around made me extra hungry.”

Cel stepped in line and started browsing the stand. Fyrindell was famous for its barbeque of various types of meat made into sausages, minced meat, smoked meat and other variations. Cel enjoyed heavy foods despite her tiny frame she could eat anyone off the table. The line moved quickly as Fyrindell cooks had the meat pre-cooked and displayed in front of the barbeque and they were constantly grilling the new rounds.

“What do you want young lady,” the Merchant inquired, his voice rich with a thick accent.

Cel tapped her chin thoughtfully, her gaze wandering over the assortment of meats, her lips curving into a playful smile. “Give me something new, that I haven’t tried last festival,” she proposed, her tone friendly. Her finger hovered before settling on a choice, pointing to a light brown ball of minced meat.

“Excellent choice,” the Merchant replied, his enthusiasm infectious. “That would be a smoked galehoof burger, do you want it in a tortilla or a bun?” He gestured towards two neat piles, one of the tortillas, the other of buns, his eyebrows raised inquiringly.

Cel chose a tortilla like Tuk did and put her spices inside the smoked galehoof burger. She rejoined her friends and they retreated from the bustling main square into a quieter, secluded alley, there the clamor of the festival was a distant murmur. They found a spot beside an old Inn where a set of sturdy ale barrels offered a makeshift seating arrangement. The alley was cooler, the shadows a welcome respite from the sun-drenched square. They settled onto the barrels, the smell of seasoned wood and ale mingling with the scent of spices that were attached to their clothes.

“So, did you manage to see your hero, Cel?” Tuk said, his eyes wide with curiosity as he took another greedy bite of his sausage. “You are awfully quite.”

Cel, still savoring the spicy and smoky flavors of her galehoof, swallowed with her hand raised in waiting for motion. Once she finally swallowed she pursed her lips together. “Well, I didn’t exactly go to the plan.”

Zer leaned forward, her interest piqued. “What happened, you did return quite sooner that we expected. I know you are fast… but not that fast.”

“Ehh, well.” Cel said wrapping the remaining of her tortilla in the paper and resting it beside her on the barrel. “I kinda forgot there would be a shit ton of guards all over the cliff, so I couldn’t get to the good position.”

“I thought you knew, and had a non-guarded position in mind,” Zer said frowning.

“I’ve totally forgotten,” Cel said with a tone of disappointment in her voice. “I’ve managed to find a small opening near the port, but I almost got caught by the guards, I managed to escape without getting recognized, at least I hope I did.”

Tuk laughed heartily. “My god Cel, only you would risk getting caught by the guards during the Festival, all for a glimpse of the ship!”

Cel shrugged nonchalantly and unwrapped the remains of her tortilla. They continued to talk about their plans for the rest of the day's festival as the sounds of the music and crowds carried over the rooftops.